Can opening arrangement



Jan. 4, 1966 c. 'r. ASBURY 3,227,304

CAN OPENING ARRANGEMENT Original Filed Aug. 12, 1963 INVENTOR.

CHARLES T. ASBURY Twsmzw w vv ww ATTORN EYS United States Patent 3,227,304 CAN OPENING ARRANGEMENT Charles T. Asbury, 717 Isie of Palms, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Continuation of application Ser. No. 301,566, Aug. 12, 1963. This application Sept. 8, 1964, Ser. No. 394,895

8 Claims. (Cl. 220--48) This invention relates to easy open container lids such as are used for beverages and the like and is particularly concerned with an improvement in such lids which is simpler and more inexpensive to manufacture and easier to manipulate. The present application discloses an invention which is a continuation of and an improvement in the invention disclosed in my co-pen-ding application Serial No. 301,566 filed August 12, 1963.

Easy open container lids of the nature with which the present invention is concerned generally comprise a lid of aluminum or a relatively soft aluminum alloy which has a scored region therein along which the lid can be torn. Some of the lids of this type have a scored tab with a lever attached to the tab so that the entire tab can be torn out to provide a pouring opening in the lid. Other types have a score line extending substantially completely around the lid in from the edge thereof, and in this case, the entire center portion of the lid can be torn out.

The majority of the easy open can lids are of the type in which a tab is pulled out to form a pulling opening. This type lid is used substantially for all type beverages and liquids which do not require the entire lid to be removed to gain access to the contents of the container. A particularly troublesome aspect of this type of easy open lid, however, is the attaching of the rivet to the tab to be torn out. The rivet is generally attached by drawing a bubble or blister on the tab, dropping an apertured member over the blister and then pressing the blister down so as to rivet the member to the tab. This is. an expensive, time-consuming operation and great care must be employed to prevent any interruption in the surface of the lid.

The present invention is concerned with the provision of an easy open lid in which the diificulty of attaching a pull member to the tab or portion of the lid to open is eliminated and instead, the lid is so arranged and proportioned that the tab or region of the lid to be opened can be pressed inwardly of the lid. According to the present invention, the lid is stiffened and reinforced by ribbing :such that the application of pressure to the tab to be pressed inwardly will be effective for tearing the tab from the lid and permitting it to move downwardly into the container. The tab to be pushed inwardly is, of course, defined by a score mark in the lid which can either be on top of the lid or on the bottom.

According to the present invention, one or two of the tabs can be provided because each tab and the ribbing or reinforcing pertaining thereto will occupy only onehalf the lid area.

According to the present invention, the push-in tab is protected against being pressed in accidentally by disposing the upper surface of the tab below surrounding surfaces of the lid so that the only way the tab can be torn from the lid and pressed inwardly is by the deliberate exertion of pressure on the tab at a predetermined point.

The nature of the present invention will be more fully understood upon reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, inv

which: I p

. FIGURE 1 is a somewhat schematic perspective view of a container having a lid constructed according to the present invention;

3,227,304 Patented Jan. 4, 1966 FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the container lid drawn at greatly enlarged scale and showing one or two identical halves of the lid;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view indicated by line IIIIII on FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 3a is a view like FIGURE 3 but shows the opening tab pressed inwardly of the lid;

FIGURE 4 is another sectional View indicated by line IV-IV on FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view indicated by line VV on FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5a is a view like FIGURE 5 but shows the score mark in the top of the lid rather than in the bottom;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary plan view showing a modified form of the invention, and

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view indicated by line VII- VII on FIGURE 6.

Referring to the drawings somewhat more in detail, in FIGURE 1, 10 is a can body and 12 is a lid according to the present invention. Lid 12 is made of a blank of thin relatively soft aluminum on the order of from 0.014 to 0.015 inch thick. According to the present invention two scored regions 14 and 16 are provided in the lid about which a score line passes so that these portions can be pressed inwardly of the lid about the inner edges 18 and 29 thereof which are not scored.

As will be seen in FIGURE 2 wherein the pressed-in region 14 is shown, the score line 22 is provided extending about the entire region except the inner edge 18 thereof. Score line 20 is disposed in a depressed flattened region 24 so that it is substantially in a single plane. The region 18 is also preferably substantially in this plane so that the region 14 will hinge inwardly of the lid relatively readily when it is pressed downwardly as by the application of pressure thereto by the thumb.

The pressed-in region or tab 14- is relatively highly crowned as can be seen from the shading in FIGURE 2 and from the shape of the region 14 in FIGURES 3 and 4 where the tab is shown in section. Because of the relatively highly crowned condition of tab 14 it is stiff inwardly of the edges and thus can be subjected to considerable pressure without bending or otherwise deforming. When pressure is exerted on the region in about the center thereof or toward the pointed end thereof, the tab will turn out from the lid and bend inwardly at about the hinge region 18, as will best be seen in FIGURE 3a which shows the tab in torn out depressed condition.

The lid is preferably stiffened by one or more ribs 26 formed therein extending transversely of the lid immediately inwardly of the hinge regions 18 and 20. These ribs can easily be formed in the soft thin metal from which the lid is made and make the lid relatively stiff against bending. These ribs furthermore extend to a greater elevation than the high part of the push-in tabs and thus protect the tabs against being accidentally knocked loose.

Still further, the lid is stiffened by the upwardly convex portion 28 disposed on each side of the push-in tab and also formed to a greater elevation than the tops of the tabs and being at substantially the same elevation as the ribs 26. The push-in tab is thus raised inside raised portions so that it does not accidentally become dislodged or furthermore the entire lid is stiffened by the raised portions.

Still further, the score mark which represents the line along which the press-in tab will turn loose from the lid is disposed inside rounded regions which protect the thumb from coming into contact with the somewhat ragged edge that will remain around the opening after the tab is pushed in.

As will be seen in FIGURE 5, the score line 22 may be on the under side of the lid, and as will be seen in FIGURE 5a, score line 22 can be on top of the lid. Either placement of the score line is satisfactory, but the one under the lid is somewhat preferred because this eliminates any likelihood of soil collecting in the score line.

The flattened region in which the score line is formed preferably terminates in some substantially circular areas 30 at the ends of the score line, and the score line may actually extend part-way around these areas so that the corners of the tab are clearly defined as well as the hinge region 18 so that the tab will bend bodily inwardly when it is torn loose from the lid and pressed downwardly as by the thumb.

FIGURES 6 and 7 show a modification in which an indentation 32 is formed in the lid at the tip end of the tab. This indentation stiffens the tip of the tab and insures that tearing will be initiated at the very tip of the tab, and this will make it easier to press the tab inwardly because the tearing along the score line will proceed from the extreme tip end of the tab toward the rear.

In FIGURES 6 and 7 the score line is indicated at 34 and could be on the top of the lid or on the underneath side if desired.

The general structure of the lid with regard to the extreme peripheral portion and the sealing thereof to a can body is conventional, the entire invention in the present case residing in the formation of the lid inwardiy of the outer periphery thereof, and particularly with respect to the push-in tab regions, the crowning of the tab regions to impart stiffness thereto, the crowning of portions of the lid outwardly of the tab portions to stiffen the lid, the lateral ribbing in the center of the lid to impart stiffness thereto, and the disposing of the more highly crowned portion of the push-in tab or tabs at a level below the periphery of the lid and also below the crowned and ribbed portions of the lid outwardly of the tab or tabs, and which portions themselves are below the elevation of the outermost periphery of the lid.

It will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modification in order to adapt it to different usages and conditions; and accordingly, it is desired to comprehend such modifications within this invention as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An easy open lid adapted for being sealingly mounted on a can body or a like container and comprising; a relatively thin member, at least one score mark in at least one surface of said member defining a tab portion, said score mark extending part-way through the material of said lid and forming a region which will turn upon the application of pressure to said tab portion whereby the tab portion can be pressed inwardly of the container on which the lid is mounted to provide an opening in the lid, said tab portion being substantially V-shaped with its one pointed end near the periphery of the lid and the other end of the tab portion disposed inwardly of the periphery of the lid from said one end of the tab portion, a relatively narrow substantially planar region in the lid in which said score mark is located, said tab portion being crowned toward the center thereof, and non-planar regions formed in the lid in at least the region thereof adjacent said score mark outside the limits of said tab portion to stiffen the lid against bending upon the application of pressure to said tab portion' 2. An easy open lid adapted for being sealingly mounted on a can body or a like container and comprising; a relatively thin member, at least one score mark in at least one surface of said member defining a tab portion, said score mark extending part-way through the material of said lid and forming a region which will turn upon the application of pressure to said tab portion whereby the tab portion can be pressed inwardly of the container on which the lid is mounted to provide an opening in the lid, said tab portion being substantially V-shaped with its one pointed end near the periphery of the lid and the other end of the tab portion disposed inwardly of the periphery of the lid from said one end of the tab portion, a relatively narrow substantially planar region in the lid in which said score mark is located, said tab portion being crowned toward the center thereof, and nonplanar regions formed in the lid in at leart the region thereof adjacent said score mark outside the limits of said tab portion to stiffen the lid against bending upon the application of pressure to said tab portion, said nonplanar regions comprising upwardly convex portions formed in the lid and the uppermost level of the crowned portion of said tab portion.

3. An easy open lid adapted for being sealingly mounted on a can body or a like container and comprising; a relatively thin member, at least one score mark in at least one surface of said member defining a tab portion, said score mark extending part-way through the material of said lid and forming a region which will turn upon the application of pressure to said tab portion whereby the tab portion can be pressed inwardly of the container on which the lid is mounted to provide an opening in the lid, said tab portion being substantially V-shaped with its one pointed end near the periphery of the lid and the other end of the tab portion disposed inwardly of the periphery of the lid from said one end of the tab portion, a relatively narrow substantially planar region in the lid in which said score mark is located, said tab portion being crowned toward the center thereof, and non-planar regions formed in the lid in at least the region thereof adjacent said score mark outside the limits of said tab portion to stiffen the lid against bending upon the application of pressure to said tab portion, said upwardly convex portions of said lid being below the level of the rim of the lid.

4. An easy open lid adapted for being scalingly mount ed on a can body or a like container and comprising; a relatively thin member, at least one score mark in at least one surface of said member defining a tab portion, said score mark extending part-way through the material of said lid and forming a region which will turn upon the applicaiton of pressure to said tab portion whereby the tab portion can be pressed inwardly of the container on which the lid is mounted to provide an opening in the lid, said tab "portion being substantially V- shaped with its one pointed end near the periphery of the lid and the other end of the tab portion disposed inwardly of the periphery of the lid from said one end of the tab portion, a relatively narrow substantially planar region in the lid in which said score mark is located, said tab portion being crowned toward the center thereof, and non-planar regions formed in the lid in at least the region thereof adjacent said score mark outside the limlts of said tab portion to stiffen the lid against bending upon the application of pressure to said tab portion, said nonplanar regions including a rib formed in the lid in the region thereof adjacent the end of said tab opposite the pointed end thereof.

5. An easy open lid adapted for being seahngly mounted on a can body or a like container and comprising; a relatively thin member, at least one score mark in at least one surface of said member defining a tab portion, said score mark extending part-way through the material of said lid and forming a region which will tear upon the application of pressure to said tab portion whereby the tab portion can be pressed inwardly of the container on which the lid is mounted to provide an opening in the lid, a relatively narrow substantially planar regtonun the lid in which said score mark is located, said tab portion being crowned toward the center thereof, and sand 11d comprising upwardly convex portions outwardly of said tab portion, said tab portion being generally V-shaped and having its pointed end near the periphery of the lid and extending from the point end. substantially radially inwardly of the lid and terminating short of the center of the lid, said upwardly convex portions of the lid comprising portions on opposite sides of said tab portion and at least one rib extending transversely of the lid between lthe inner end of the tab portion and the center of the 6. An easy open lid adapted for being sealingly mounted on a can body or a like container and comprising; a relatively thin member, at least one score mark in at least one surface of said member defining a tab portion, said score mark extending part-way through the material of said lid and forming a region which will tear upon the application of pressure to said tab portion whereby the tab portion can be pressed inwardly of the container on which the lid is mounted to provide an opening in the lid, a relatively narrow substantially; planar region in the lid in which said score mark is located, said tab portion being crowned toward the center thereof, and said lid comprising upwardly convex portions outwardly of said tab portion, said tab portion being generally V-shaped and having its pointed end near the periphery of the lid and extending from the point end substantially radially inwardly of the lid and terminating short of the center of the lid, said upwardly convex portions of the lid comprising portions on opposite sides of said tab portion and at least one rib extending transversely of the lid between the inner end of the tab portion and the center of the lid, said score mark being on the upper side of said lid.

7. An easy open lid adapted for being sealingly mounted on a can body or a like container and comprising; a relatively thin member, at least one score mark in at least one surface of said member defining a tab portion, said score mark extending part-way through the material of said lid and forming a region which will tear upon the application of pressure tolsaid tab portion whereby the tab portion can be pressed inwardly of the container on which the lid is mounted to provide an opening in the lid, a relatively planar region in the lid in which said score mark is located, said tab portion being crowned toward the center thereof, and said lid comprising upwardly convex portions outwardly of said tab portion, said tab portion being generally V-shaped and having its pointed end near the periphery of the lid and extending from the point end substantially radially inwardly of the lid and tenninating short of the center of the lid, said upwardly convex portions of the lid comprising portions on opposite sides of said tab portion and at least one rib extending transversely of the lid between the inner end of the tab portion and the center of the lid, said score mark being on the under side of said lid.

8. An easy open lid adapted for being sealin-gly mounted on a can body or a like container and comprising; a relatively thin member, at least one score mark in at least one surface of said member defining a tab portion, said score mark extending part-way through the material of said lid and forming a region which will tear upon the application of pressure to said tab portion whereby the tab portion can be pressed inwardly of the container on which the lid is mounted to provide an opening in the lid, a relatively planar region in the lid in which said score mark is located, said tab portion being crowned toward the center thereof, and said lid comprising upwardly convex portions outwardly of said tab portion, said tab portion being generally V-shaped and having its pointed end near the periphery of the lid and extending from the point end substantially radially inwardly of the lid and terminating short of the center of the lid, said upwardly convex portions of the lid comprising portions on opposite sides of said tab portion and at least one rib extending transverely of the lid between the inner end of the tab portion and the center of the lid, and means for stiffening the point end of said rib portion comprising a recess forming downwardly into the lid from above and encompassing the point end of said tab portion and the region immediately surrounding said rib end portion.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2i,\1 12,231 3/ 1938 Speidel 220-54 3,076,584 2/1963 Sherlock 220-27 3,143,256 8/1964 Lazure et a1 222541 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN EASY OPEN LID ADAPTED FOR BEING SEALINGLY MOUNTED ON A CAN BODY OR A LIKE CONTAINER AND COMPRISING; A RELATIVELY THIN MEMBER, AT LEAST ONE SCORE MARK IN AT LEAST ONE SURFACE OF SAID MEMBER DEFINING A TAB PORTION, SAID SCORE MARK EXTENDING PART-WAY THROUGH THE MATERIAL OF SAID LID AND FORMING A REGION WHICH WILL TURN UPON THE APPLICATION OF PRESSURE TO SAID TAB PORTION WHEREBY THE TAB PORTION CAN BE PRESSED INWARDLY OF THE CONTAINER ON WHICH THE LID IS MOUNTED TO PROVIDE AN OPENING IN THE LID, SAID TAB PORTION BEING SUBSTANTIALLY V-SHAPED WITH ITS ONE POINTED END NEAR THE PERIPHERY OF THE LID AND THE OTHER END OF THE TAB PORTION DISPOSED INWARDLY OF THE PERIPHERY OF THE LID FROM SAID ONE END OF THE TAB PORTION, A RELATIVELY NARROW SUBSTANTIALLY PLANAR REGION IN THE LID IN WHICH SAID SCORE MARK IS LOCATED, SAID TAB PORTION BEING CROWNED TOWARD THE CENTER THEREOF, AND NON-PLANAR REGIONS FORMED IN THE LID IN AT LEAST THE REGION THEREOF ADJACENT SAID SCORE MARK OUTSIDE THE LIMITS OF SAID TAB PORTION TO STIFFEN THE LID AGAINST BENDING UPON THE APPLICATION OF PRESSURE TO SAID TAB PORTION. 